I was reading an article where an American "expert" was advising India to do whatever it can to appease the Pakistani generals and get out of Afghanistan and even J&K. This after Indian has spent over two billion dollars on development projects while the pakis have done precious more than export terror. Needless to say I was extremely perturbed. Then I came across the following article “Hinduism’s Code of Conduct” detailing twenty keys for spiritual living in contemporary times which essentially was a reminder of what our religion is all about. These twenty keys divided into two sets of do’s and don’ts of ten Vedic restraints called “Yama” and ten Vedic practices called “Niyam”. Here I wish to draw your attention to essentially five restraints a) Non-injury, Ahinsa, b) Truthfulness, Satya, c) Patience, Kshama, d) Compassion, Daya and e) Honesty, Arjava.
Now it makes me wonder if this ancient wisdom is still applicable to the modern times. After all, 5000 years ago we did not have a rabidly hostile neighbor armed with nuclear weapons hell bent on destroying our way of life.
Here is what Swami Chinmayananda says on the single most influential message from the Bhagavad Gita; this has such a universal appeal to our countrymen - Ahimsa Paramo Dharmah – Nonviolence is the greatest Dharma. The overemphasis of this line has reduced millions to poltroons and cowards and as a result of this cowardly resignation of the majority; fanatics from our neighbors and within have been perpetrating unabated crimes.
Let us for a moment go to the original sacred verse and investigate the significances of the moral precept: Ahimsa Paramo Dharmah. This is the opening line of a stanza, and the very next line reads: Dharma himsaa tathaiva cha. "So too is all righteous violence."
Indeed, non-violence is the supreme policy to be adopted by man to foster enduring peace in the world; but there are certain dire moments in the life of individuals, as of nations, when we will have to meet force with force in order that justice be done.
Now do we still practice only Ahinsa or do we turn to Gita and start believing Dharma-Himsa is equally noble as Ahimsa?
THE HINDU ETHICS:
"How often do you see a professional team of people misbehave on the job? You’re on a flight
from San Francisco to Singapore. Do the flight attendants bicker in the aisle? of course not. People at this level of business have control of their minds and emotions. If they didn’t, they would soon be replaced. When they are on the job, at least, they follow a code of conduct spelled out in detail by the corporation. it’s not unlike the moral code of any religion, outlining sound ethics for respect and harmony among humans. those seeking to be successful in life strive to fulfill a moral code whether “on the job” or off. Does Hinduism and its scriptures on yoga have such a code? Yes: twenty ethical guidelines called yamas and niyamas, “restraints and observances.” these “do’s” and “don’ts” are found in the 6,000 to 8,000-year-old Vedas, mankind’s oldest body of scripture, and in other holy texts expounding the path of yoga."
The article can be read at the following:
http://www.hinduismtoday.com/pdf_downloads/what_is_hinduism/Sec6/WIH_Sec6_Chapter42.pdf
Now it makes me wonder if this ancient wisdom is still applicable to the modern times. After all, 5000 years ago we did not have a rabidly hostile neighbor armed with nuclear weapons hell bent on destroying our way of life.
Here is what Swami Chinmayananda says on the single most influential message from the Bhagavad Gita; this has such a universal appeal to our countrymen - Ahimsa Paramo Dharmah – Nonviolence is the greatest Dharma. The overemphasis of this line has reduced millions to poltroons and cowards and as a result of this cowardly resignation of the majority; fanatics from our neighbors and within have been perpetrating unabated crimes.
Let us for a moment go to the original sacred verse and investigate the significances of the moral precept: Ahimsa Paramo Dharmah. This is the opening line of a stanza, and the very next line reads: Dharma himsaa tathaiva cha. "So too is all righteous violence."
Indeed, non-violence is the supreme policy to be adopted by man to foster enduring peace in the world; but there are certain dire moments in the life of individuals, as of nations, when we will have to meet force with force in order that justice be done.
Now do we still practice only Ahinsa or do we turn to Gita and start believing Dharma-Himsa is equally noble as Ahimsa?
THE HINDU ETHICS:
"How often do you see a professional team of people misbehave on the job? You’re on a flight
from San Francisco to Singapore. Do the flight attendants bicker in the aisle? of course not. People at this level of business have control of their minds and emotions. If they didn’t, they would soon be replaced. When they are on the job, at least, they follow a code of conduct spelled out in detail by the corporation. it’s not unlike the moral code of any religion, outlining sound ethics for respect and harmony among humans. those seeking to be successful in life strive to fulfill a moral code whether “on the job” or off. Does Hinduism and its scriptures on yoga have such a code? Yes: twenty ethical guidelines called yamas and niyamas, “restraints and observances.” these “do’s” and “don’ts” are found in the 6,000 to 8,000-year-old Vedas, mankind’s oldest body of scripture, and in other holy texts expounding the path of yoga."
The article can be read at the following:
http://www.hinduismtoday.com/pdf_downloads/what_is_hinduism/Sec6/WIH_Sec6_Chapter42.pdf
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